For the first time since the COVID pandemic, Rainier Educational Foundation (REF) will host its annual auction to raise scholarship money for graduating Rainier High School students on their post-high school journey.
The 24th annual auction will begin at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, March 23, and features several “almost live” auction tables for participants to silently bid on items prior to the live auction beginning at 7 p.m. Prior to the event, an online, silent auction will take place. Participants can register for the silent auction at www.rainiereducationfoundation.com.
For $20, attendants will receive dinner from Steele Barrel BBQ, which includes a smoked pulled pork sandwich with a choice of a side of baked beans, mac and cheese or pineapple coleslaw. Entry to the event is free.
Finally, at 7 p.m., the live auction will begin. Larry Schorno, auctioneer, and Tracy Carli, emcee, will participate in the annual event for the final time after years of involvement with the program.
With help from community participants and REF volunteers, Carli said she believes the annual auction provides needed support to students en route to achieving their dreams. Without that support, Carli said, REF would not be able to give back to the students.
“This event means a lot,” Carli said. “This is how we fund. We only have one fundraiser each year. This is how we raise money for scholarships that help our Rainier graduates initially and up to three more years. We do renewals for up to three consecutive years.”
Carli, a volunteer for nearly 30 years, said REF is excited to return to an in-person format for the first time since 2019.
“I’m excited for it, for sure. We struggled with ‘should we go live, or should we keep it online’ because it’s a lot less work online, but we decided we wanted to get back together with the community. It’s exciting,” Carli said. “I’ve been volunteering ever since my daughter was in kindergarten, and that was in 1995. It’s been fabulous, and I’ve really enjoyed it. Sometimes, the old dogs have to step aside so the new dogs can step in.”
With REF hosting both live and silent auctions, Carli is hopeful the organization can once again offer teacher grants in addition to post-graduation support for students.
“There’s a lot of things that aren’t covered, and through this program, we’re able to provide support for many students who wouldn’t necessarily have the opportunity through the school district,” Carli said. “We have a lot of great support from our local community members. We have a lot of donations coming in, big and small, from our local communities of Rainier, Yelm, Tenino, Tumwater and Olympia.”
The best part of the REF auction process, Carli added, is the student interview portion of the process. Each student participating in the scholarship auction must fill out an application, which a panel of REF volunteers and community members reviews. Students also complete a 10- to 12-minute interview with the board to familiarize themselves with the panel.
“That’s where we really get to connect with the students and find out what their goals are. It really restores my hope in humanity when we get to connect with the young people and hear what their goals and dreams are,” Carli said. “To me, the best part of this process is the interview.”
REF is still accepting donation items for both silent and live auctions, and those interested in providing any can visit RainierEducationFoundation.com for instructions, or by visiting Rainier High School.
“It takes many hands to make this auction happen, and I’m really thankful for all the REF supporters that’ve been supporting us for a long time. It was a bit challenging through the pandemic. It’s been hard to get volunteers,” Carli said. “We do have some new blood joining the team, which brings hope, but we are looking for people who want to share their time, talent, technology or their treasure to make a difference in the REF.”
